A Letter From Jack

• - Give notice that Canada will withdraw from the search-and-kill combat mission in Kandahar.
• - Work with NATO partners, the Afghan government, and other affected parties to find a political solution through capacity building and a comprehensive peace process.
• - Focus Canada's role in Afghanistan on humanitarian aid, reconstruction and development, with appropriate security measures.

In contrast to our plan, Prime Minister Stephen Harper has silenced Canada's independent voice on foreign policy. Following the previous Liberal government's path, today's Conservatives have turned their backs on our respected, proven peace-building and peace-keeping traditions by committing Canadian troops to the aggressive search-and-kill combat mission in southern Afghanistan which is fuelling the escalation of violence. From the emails and letters I receive it is clear that everyday Canadians know that:

• - This Bush-style combat mission will not create the conditions for long-term security
• - The mission is ill-defined, unbalanced, and without a clear exit strategy.
• - For every $1 in humanitarian aid and reconstruction, the Conservative government is spending $9 on military combat in Afghanistan.

The fact of the matter is that the discussion at hand should be about if this mission is the right role for Canada and - not - which Party supports our troops. If you have not done so already, I invite you to sign our on-line petition, Support our troops. Bring 'em home, which can be found at: http://www.ndp.ca/page/4121.

Again, I appreciate hearing from you on this troubling matter. I would like to take this opportunity to encourage you to pass along this email. All the best.

Sincerely,

Jack Layton, MP (Toronto-Danforth) Leader, Canada's New Democrats
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